Frequently Asked Questions

The Oxford Winter Neuroethics School is designed for students, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and professionals interested in neuroethics. We welcome applicants from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds who are interested in the ethical, legal, social, and philosophical implications of neuroscience, mental health, and emerging neurotechnologies. 

OWNS is designed for individuals who are interested in understanding and addressing the ethical questions raised by neuroscience, mental health, and emerging neurotechnologies. 

Successful applicants come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Relevant academic fields include, but are not limited to: 

• Philosophy 

• Neuroscience 

• Psychology 

• Psychiatry 

• Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences 

Relevant professional backgrounds include, but are not limited to: 

• Public policy 

• Science and technology 

• Healthcare 

Applicants do not need prior experience in neuroethics. We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate a strong interest in neuroethical issues and a clear vision for how they hope to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the programme.

No. Neuroethics is an interdisciplinary field, and successful applicants come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. We are interested in applicants whose interests, experience, or future plans connect meaningfully with neuroethics, regardless of their primary discipline.

Yes. Applications are welcome from students and professionals at different stages of their careers. 

Selection is based on the admissions criteria rather than a specific degree level. We seek a cohort that includes participants with varying levels of seniority and experience. Strong undergraduate applicants are encouraged to apply. 

No. There is no minimum research experience requirement. Applications are assessed holistically according to the admissions criteria. 

Applications are evaluated holistically. Admissions decisions are based on: 

• Academic potential for neuroethics research 

• The fit between an applicant’s research interests or professional goals and the scope of the programme 

• Building a cohort with diverse academic and professional backgrounds 

• Building a cohort with a range of career stages and levels of seniority 

No. While many participants are interested in academic research, the programme is also valuable for those pursuing careers in healthcare, public policy, technology, industry, regulation, and other fields where neuroethical issues arise. 

Applicants should submit: 

• A summary CV (maximum two pages) 

• Details of one referee 

• Responses to the application questions 

• A short writing sample (500–750 words) engaging with an ethical issue in neuroscience, mental health, or psychiatry (this doesn’t need to be a research proposal, just a writing sample on a relevant theme).  

Full application instructions are available here.

You do not need a fully developed proposal. 

The programme is specifically designed to help participants develop and refine research questions, methodologies, and funding proposals. Applicants should demonstrate an area of interest rather than a completed project.

Yes. We encourage applicants to discuss the neuroethical questions that most interest them and how the programme would support their future goals. However, applications are not assessed based on having a fully formed research proposal.

We recommend choosing someone who knows your work well and can speak meaningfully about your academic ability, professional achievements, intellectual curiosity, and potential to benefit from the programme. 

Course fees are tiered to support participation from individuals at different career stages. 

Tier 1 (£2,100) 

• Anyone currently studying for a PhD, MA, MSc, BA, BSc or equivalent qualification 

• Anyone currently unwaged 

Tier 2 (£2,700) 

• Academics in a tenure-track or permanent academic position up to seven years post-PhD 

• Academics who have completed a PhD but do not yet hold a permanent or tenure-track academic position 

• Non-academics up to ten years after their final academic qualification (if without a PhD), or up to seven years post-PhD 

Tier 3 (£3,600) 

• Academics in a permanent academic position more than seven years post-PhD 

• Non-academics more than ten years after their final academic qualification (if without a PhD), or more than seven years post-PhD 

Your fee tier is determined by your status at the time of application. 

• If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, or equivalent degree programme, you should apply under Tier 1. 

• If you have completed your studies and are in the early stages of your academic or professional career, you will generally fall within Tier 2. 

• Applicants with more established academic or professional careers will generally fall within Tier 3. 

If you are unsure which category applies to you, please contact the OWNS team before submitting your application. 

Course fees include: 

• Tuition for all online and in-person components of the programme 

• Accommodation during the Learning Accelerator (5–9 January 2027). If you are living in Oxford at the time of the Learning Accelerator, please mark this on the application form, as you may be eligible for a reduced fee for a non-residential place. 

• Most meals during the Learning Accelerator 

Course fees do not include: 

• Travel costs 

• Visa application costs 

• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costs 

• Any other personal expenses incurred during the programme 

Yes. We are committed to providing a limited number of scholarships for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds within neuroethics who would otherwise be unable to attend OWNS without financial support. 

To be eligible, applicants must: 

• Come from an underrepresented background within neuroethics 

• Demonstrate that they would be unable to attend without financial support 

• Be applying under either Tier 1 or Tier 2 (see ‘what fee tier am I in?’ above for further descriptions) 

Applicants wishing to be considered for a scholarship should submit a short statement alongside their application explaining their circumstances and why financial support is needed. 

Scholarships are awarded to a small number of eligible applicants from underrepresented backgrounds within neuroethics who would otherwise be unable to attend OWNS without financial support. Scholarship decisions are made on the basis of the information provided in the application and scholarship statement only. 

For fee and scholarship purposes, early-career professionals generally include academics up to seven years post-PhD and non-academics up to ten years after their final academic qualification (or up to seven years post-PhD). 

We recognise that career paths are not always linear. Career transitions, caring responsibilities, and career breaks may be taken into account when assessing eligibility. 

The number of scholarships varies each year depending on available funding. 

Scholarship awards may vary. Details of available scholarship support will be provided during the application cycle. 

The programme provides training in both foundational and applied neuroethics, including: 

• Clinical neuroethics 

• Ethical reasoning and argument analysis 

• Normative and philosophical methods 

• Qualitative and quantitative empirical methods 

• Co-production with young people 

• Citizen science and participatory research 

• Interdisciplinary and cross-cultural neuroethics 

• Publishing, policy engagement, and research impact 

• Funding and grant proposal development 

No. The programme covers a broad range of neuroethical issues and research methods. Mental health and psychiatry feature throughout the programme, but they are only some of several areas explored. 

While speakers, examples, and case studies may vary, the programme is primarily structured around the methods, skills, and approaches needed in neuroethics research. 

The programme consists of five live online modules delivered over five weeks, followed by the preparation of a mock neuroethics research proposal and participation in the in-person Learning Accelerator in Oxford. 

Participants should plan to attend all live sessions, engage with recommended readings and course materials, develop their research proposal, and participate fully in the Learning Accelerator. The exact time commitment will vary depending on your background and the amount of time you choose to invest in developing your proposal, but applicants should expect the programme to require meaningful engagement throughout both the online and in-person components. 

The Learning Accelerator is the in-person component of the OWNS programme, held in Oxford following the online modules. 

Participants present their research proposals, receive feedback from faculty and peers, engage with industry speakers, attend networking events, and participate in the annual Oxford Neuroethics Lecture (ONL). 

The Oxford Neuroethics Lecture (ONL) is a flagship annual public lecture delivered by a leading scholar, clinician, policymaker, or practitioner working at the forefront of neuroethics. 

As part of the Learning Accelerator, participants are invited to attend the lecture, engage with the speaker, and take part in associated networking events. The lecture topic changes each year and typically addresses a timely issue in neuroethics research, policy, or practice. 

Faculty engage with participants throughout both the online and in-person components of the programme through lectures, workshops, proposal feedback sessions, networking opportunities, and Learning Accelerator activities. 

Peer learning is a central feature of OWNS. Participants come from a wide range of disciplinary, professional, and cultural backgrounds, creating opportunities for rich interdisciplinary discussion throughout the programme. 

Participants learn from one another through seminar discussions, peer feedback on research proposals, collaborative problem-solving, networking events, and informal conversations during both the online modules and the in-person Learning Accelerator. 

Many participants report that exposure to perspectives outside their own field is one of the most valuable aspects of the programme. 

Yes. OWNS has an active and growing alumni network that helps participants stay connected after the programme concludes. 

Many alumni remain in contact with peers, speakers, and faculty, sharing opportunities, seeking feedback on research and professional projects, and building collaborations across institutions and disciplines. The OWNS programme aims not only to provide training in neuroethics, but also to foster a lasting international community of scholars and practitioners interested in the field. 

Successful participants are typically curious, engaged, open to interdisciplinary perspectives and feedback, and willing to actively participate in discussions and feedback sessions. 

We encourage participants to engage actively with the course materials, participate in discussions, seek feedback on their ideas, and connect with peers and faculty throughout the programme. 

Many participants attend because they are considering doctoral research, postdoctoral work, clinical careers, policy careers, or roles in science and technology that engage with neuroethical issues. 

The programme is designed to develop research, interdisciplinary, and proposal-development skills that can support future work in these areas, regardless of career stage. 

Participation in OWNS does not provide an admissions advantage for Oxford degree programmes. 

Many participants continue refining the proposals they develop during the programme. Some go on to pursue further research, publications, funding applications, policy work, doctoral study, or professional projects related to neuroethics. 

OWNS alumni have gone on to pursue doctoral study, postdoctoral research, clinical training, policy careers, industry roles, publications, and other professional opportunities related to neuroethics. While outcomes vary by participant, the programme is designed to provide the skills, networks, and mentorship needed to support future work in the field. 

Participant proposals are generally not shared publicly. However, examples of past project topics and alumni achievements may occasionally be highlighted in programme materials. 

Yes. Many participants attend because they are considering graduate study or a future career related to neuroethics. The programme provides exposure to current research, methodologies, career pathways, and professional networks within the field, helping participants make informed decisions about their future direction.